Sudershan lashes out at PM for ''minority appeasement''

Hardwar, Nov 28 (UNI) RSS chief K C Sudershan today lashed out at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his remark that the Muslims had the first right on the natural resources of the country.

Addressing a sant sammelan convened by yoga guru Ram Dev, Mr Sudarshan said modern society is on the threshold of a total revolution preceded by an upsurge of religious sentiments, increase in physical violence and prevalence of mental imbalance.

VHP International President Ashok Singhal echoed the same sentiments and alleged that ''at the instance of a lady, who is at the helm of affairs in the country, the central government was conspiring to demolish all the symbols of Hindu religion, including Ram Setu.'' Mr Singhal called upon the sant community to unite and awaken the Hindus to force the government ''not to execute its unholy designs.'' ''If the Taj Mahal, the Tomb of Humayun and the Red Fort can be protected by the archaeological department of the country, why cannot Ram Setu be protected as a monument of historical and cultural importance?'' asked Mr Singhal .

Condemning the ''move'' of the government to take over the places of worship of the Hindus, he suggested that a national commission should be set up to manage the Hindu temples and shrines, so that they may be made more attractive destinations for the devotees.

VHP Secretary Praveen Togadia accused the Central government of hurting the sentiments of Hindus by giving birth to an unnecessary controversy on whether Lord Ram was a real character or a fictitious one.

Uttrakhand Chief Minister, Major General (Retd) B C Khanduri rapped the politicians of the country for pursuing the policies of appeasement of the minorities and hurting the sentiments of the majority to derive political mileage by garnering the votes of the minorities.

He appealed to the masses ''to give a befitting reply to these pseudo-secularists''.

The event was organised by the All India Sant Samiti and prominent sants of the country and almost all the state ministers were present on the occasion.